Book Online Counselling and Treatment for Purging Disorder

A Quick Overview

Are you too conscious about how you look? Do you want to like yourself, but there is a voice inside your head telling you that you are not good enough? Do you take extreme measures to silence that voice? Do you even force yourself to burn extra calories to get that ideal body shape? Or have you noticed someone frequently throwing up after a regular meal?

Indulging in behavior that involves vomiting or excessive exercise to manipulate body weight may hint at a purging disorder. In this, the patient has a repetitive urge to purge the food they consume. It could be through pee, vomit, or poop. The individual may even use laxatives or medications for such practice. This type of behavior is relatively easier to notice, and it does raise eyebrows.

Sometimes, the affected person may resort to excessive exercise or fasting. This might appear healthy compared to vomiting, but this also classifies as purging behavior. The aim is the same: to lose weight and influence body shape. This purging behavior is shared with bulimia nervosa. The difference is that there is no urge to binge in this condition.

Major Causes

The causes of this condition are not known. Some studies suggest that the bodies of affected individuals react differently to food. The stomach produces more of certain hormones after eating. These hormones might give the individual the impression that they have eaten too much even when they haven't. Research is still going on to identify the exact causes. The following causes could be possible:

• A history of dieting or attempts to lose weight
• Focus on being thin
• Fear of gaining weight
• Low self-esteem
• Higher weight or Body Mass Index
• Frustration with own's body
• Paranoid about losing control over their eating behavior
• Lack of attention from the caregiver during childhood
• Most of these are social and environmental in their nature. Research is still going to find if there is a link between genetics and this disorder. However, there is no concrete connection as of now.

Common Signs

As an eating disorder, this condition can present an array of behavioral, physical, and emotional symptoms. Some warning signs might be easier to notice than others. They include:

• Being constantly concerned about weight loss, dieting, and calorie intake
• Recurrent episodes of purging without binging
• Frequent visits to the bathroom
• Smell or signs of puking
• Measuring intake of food to macro detail
• Avoiding certain types of food that are high in carbohydrates or fats
• Being uncomfortable while eating with others. Avoiding eating in public
• Checking yourself in the mirror repeatedly for perceived flaws in appearance
• Skipping meals or eating small quantities of meal
• Having extreme mood swings
• Finding it hard to sleep
• Dry skin, hair, and nails
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Feeling cold most of the time
• Hormonal and menstrual disturbance
• Muscle weakness and fatigue
• Dizziness
• Sensitive teeth or dental issues
• Possession of laxatives or diuretics
• Repeated use of mouthwash, mint, or gums

There could be more physical signs if the individual resorted to repeated, self-induced vomiting. These could be:

• Cuts on hands
• Small bleeds in the eyes
• Swelling of the salivary gland
• Teeth discoloration

Risk Factors

Some reports suggest that this disorder is more common among adolescent girls. But there is no hard proof to back those reports. As of now, no specific risk factors are there for purging disorder specifically. Since it is an eating disorder, the following factors can increase the risk of developing this:

• Other psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Substance abuse
• Low self-esteem
• Poor self-image
• Sexual or physical abuse
• Participating in weight or appearance-focused sports
• Impulse control issues
• It may be more common in late childhood and early adolescence. But one can develop this at any point in life.

Complications and Health Problems

By forcing your body to throw up, you are not only neglecting the body's need for nutrients but also causing yourself a great deal of stress and anxiety. Furthermore, throwing up is also hard on the body. There is a risk of the following health problems:

• Distress and depression
• Tooth damage
• Heartburn
• Dehydration
• Stomach ulcers
• Facial and throat swelling
• Tooth decay
• Pregnancy complications
• Nutrient deficiency
• Chemical imbalance
• Irregular heartbeat

Over time, self-induced vomiting can cause severe damage to certain body parts including:

• Kidney
• Teeth
• Digestive system
• Esophagus
• Cardiovascular system

The combination of this disorder with any other psychiatric disorder or serious health problem may increase the risk of intentional self-harm. It can even cause suicide if left untreated.

How to Deal With Your Symptoms

Any treatment for an eating disorder takes time to show results. You will need to be patient throughout the process. The following tips can help you reduce symptoms and cope in the meantime:

• Acknowledging: The first step for you is to acknowledge this as a disorder. Unless you treat it as a problem, you will never find a solution.
• Take time: Try and separate the action of purging from the impulse to do so. The more time you put in between, the less urge there will be. Use distractive methods that suit you best.
• Seek support: Share about your condition with the people who are close to you. A strong support system will give you the strength and patience to cope with this challenge. They will also help you build self-esteem, which can reduce the urge to manipulate weight. Alternatively, you can join a support group where you find people going through the same. It may give you the courage and motivation to seek and continue with therapy.

Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You

Often, a combination of therapies is required to treat any eating disorder. These could be cognitive-behavioral therapy, weight loss therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. That is the same case with purging disorder. Treatment may require a multidisciplinary approach because it doesn't come under a specific diagnosis. You may need to consult different branches of medicine. Sometimes, you might need guidance from a registered dietitian and psychotherapist.

Consult a therapist and let them evaluate your condition. The treatment plan will determine the severity, duration, and other health-related consequences. It will take time, but you will need to trust the process.

Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today

Being fit and healthy is good, but if you or anyone you know indulges in unhealthy behavior to accomplish that goal, you should get in touch with a professional. Know that it's okay to ask for help. Schedule an appointment with our providers to discuss your condition. There might be doubts, questions, and apprehension about your problem and its treatment. We are here to answer them all.

Let our experienced therapists help you work through your emotions and feelings. They can recommend the appropriate treatment plan based on their expert evaluation. They will also suggest tools to cope with your urges and impulses.

Don't let this ruin your social and personal life. Enjoy your meals in public places with your family and friends. Visit our website to get in touch with a trusted therapist and start your journey toward the right kind of healthy.